National Football League

Panthers WR Smith embracing role as leader

Published May. 2, 2010 8:51 p.m. ET

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Before Carolina Panthers receiver Steve Smith arrived at his first minicamp practice minus his old quarterback, fullback, defensive end and numerous other longtime teammates, he called buddy Muhsin Muhammad.

``I talked to him coming in Friday morning,'' Smith said Sunday. ``I told him, 'Man, I miss you.'''

Forgive Smith for feeling a little nostalgic. Muhammad, who wasn't re-signed, was part of a major offseason veteran purge that's left Smith among the last standing. The four-time Pro Bowl selection, who turns 31 next week, is now the third-oldest player on the roster after kicker John Kasay (40) and punter Jason Baker (31).

The moves, which have shed millions in payroll, keep coming, too. Last week, the Panthers traded starting strong safety Chris Harris to Chicago for reserve linebacker Jamar Williams, who has just a one-year contract.

``We've got a budget and that had something to do with it,'' coach John Fox said tersely when asked of the deal on Sunday.

It was rare candor from the usually buttoned-up Fox, who enters the last year of his contract with 67 of 86 players on his roster 25 or younger. It comes as Panthers owner Jerry Richardson cuts costs as he plays a major role in the negotiations with the union for a new labor deal.

Smith, Kasay and left tackle Jordan Gross are the only remaining members of Carolina's 2003 team that lost in the Super Bowl. But Sunday showed how far Smith has come since then.

Showing no sign of the anger that has gotten him into trouble in the past, Smith talked of how he planned to help the youngsters on the roster even as he faces the prospect of playing with a rookie starting quarterback and No. 2 receiver for a team that went just 8-8 last season.

``The moves don't affect me,'' Smith insisted. ``I still have to go out there and play football. My job and my requirements don't change because they change a few positions.''

But these are more than a few. Jake Delhomme, the starting QB since 2003, was cut after a miserable 18-interception season. Fullback Brad Hoover, around since 2000, was released. The Panthers made no attempt to re-sign Muhammad, who started opposite Smith and had spent 11 of his 14 pro seasons in Carolina.

Five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers was allowed to leave in free agency. Starting defensive tackles Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu and linebacker Na'il Diggs were cut. Harris was traded Tuesday.

The Panthers drafted quarterback Jimmy Clausen in the second round, who could challenge Matt Moore for the starting job. They took receivers Brandon LaFell and Armanti Edwards in the third round, and they could spend time opposite Smith in the fall.

It's left the sight of Smith leading drills and a bunch of unrecognizable guys with little or no experience following.

``I think it's hard to judge a guy off one weekend, especially when he doesn't know what he's doing,'' Smith said when asked to evaluate his new teammates.

The speedy Smith, whose numbers declined last season amid poor quarterback play, hardly seems to be slowing. He made several tremendous catches in Sunday's final minicamp workout, including a leaping grab of Moore's deep pass in the end zone over safety Sherrod Martin. Smith then emphatically spiked the ball.

``One of the reasons why we do our minicamp the way we do, where we combine the rookies and the veterans, is I think some of the best tools of learning are watching a guy do it,'' Fox said.

Smith is now in a position where he hasn't been in his career that's included temper issues: unquestioned leader. Smith has seemed to embrace the role, especially to the 10 other receivers on the roster.

Muhammad isn't around for Smith to lean on anymore, but Smith seems ready to allow others to lean on him.

``I think he's grown up,'' Fox said. ``I've been able to watch him grow up in front of my eyes. With that experience there's maturation, and he's definitely matured a lot, not only as a player, but even as a young man.''

NOTES: LaFell spent some time working with the starters Sunday ahead of Dwayne Jarrett. ``He's a big, speedy receiver,'' Fox said. ... The Panthers never had a Charlotte native on their roster until signing WR Kenny Moore a year ago. Now they have two after inking undrafted rookie WR Trent Guy, who played at Louisville. ``He's got excellent speed and quickness,'' Fox said. ``That did catch my eye.'' ... The Panthers didn't give out Delhomme's old No. 17, Peppers' 90, Muhammad's 87 or Hoover's 45 to new players.

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